Blog & Pastor Letters

Letter to Parishioners on COVID-19

05-21-2020NewsRev. Victor C. Yakubu

Since 2nd March 2020, we have never had a communal worship as a parish. Rather we have been confined to our homes and watching the mass on TV and social media. This situation is abnormal in our lifetimes and no one ever anticipated this phenomenon and the attendant problems arising.

The presence situation undoubtedly has affected the whole world. In some places the cases of the coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, are severe, while in few locations, the numbers are less. In the United States as of 20th May 2020, we had over 92,000 deaths, 1.56m confirmed cases with 297,000 recoveries. In the whole world, there have been over 324,000 deaths, 4.9m confirmed cases and 1.9 m recoveries. These numbers are worrisome although scientists and researchers are working day and night to flatten the curve of the virus and restore hope.

With the lockdown declared by governments of the world, the COVID-19 cases in some places have reduced such as in Italy, Spain and China whereas in other places like Brazil and the USA the numbers are on the upward surge. While there is no single solution to the pandemic, it becomes the responsibility of individuals to practice social distancing alongside use of sanitizers, face masks and self-isolation, if possible.

It was painful not celebrating Easter on 12th April together in our churches. I call that period the peak of our pandemic. Parishioners watched the Easter ceremonies on TV and it was pitiful that we could not actively participate. The agitation for church attendance began to reach our church authorities up to the Vatican and bishops in various dioceses were getting inundated with calls to reopen.

Parishioners have been asking why we closed our churches instead of keeping them open. This agitation to reopen our churches, therefore is related to the agitation by activists protesting in state capitals all over the USA to reopen the economy and allow people to return to their normal businesses. While we do not live in isolation from the communities around us, we must be cautious of the next moves without endangering anyone. This explains why the churches were closed in the first place; to safeguard precious lives against the spread of COVID-19.

Due to the agitations, Bishop Thomas Olmsted of the Diocese of Phoenix has mapped out a Three-Phase Plan of Rising with Christ and returning us to community worship. The first phase at St. Mary begins May 24. We invite 25% of the parishioners to attend public mass with the priest. Sick and sickly parishioners should please stay at home. Others can come after mass to receive holy communion as we have done in the last weeks. This could be messy and unrealistic. In any case, this is the only way to be closer to the Eucharist and gradually return to communal worship. In Phase Two, we invite 50% of our parishioners to return to active public worship. Obviously in Phase Three, we invite the community to return to church pre-COVID-19 style. This may likely take us to September 2020.

Bases on our situation, we shall continue our plans as recommended by the diocese. However, we shall monitor events from our county and our town of Kingman in the days ahead. If the numbers keep rising, we shall bring our worship to a halt to save our parishioners, especially our vulnerable demographics. Prudence does not mean paralysis. We are only trying to be on the side of caution. The first duty that we owe to ourselves is to be stay safe and healthy. Precautious can flatten the curve and keep us free from the virus.

Lastly, I call on leaders of societies and ministries in our parish community to be in contact with their members. Currently, there is a greater need to reach out. I was happy when a parishioner reached out to me via the phone just to ask of my welfare. I was surprised but happy in my heart. Another parishioner also reached out to ask if I needed groceries. And another parishioner deposited some food for me in the fridge in the parish center. All these are signs of how we can reach out to others while practicing social distancing. Sincerely, I call on leaders of our societies and ministries to reach out to all members and ensure their welfare and well-being.

At the parish level, the staff is doing exactly that, reaching out to parishioners every week with phone calls. On my path, I use emails, SMS, Flocknotes, Facebook and YouTube videos to reach out. Using social media is something I did not plan at this scale, so I am learning how to produce best videos.

Feel free to contact the office for assistance. Amelia Kent, the Parish Secretary is doing a wonderful job physically present and receiving calls from parishioners. May Mary, the Mother of Jesus intercede for us.